Yard House

Yard House is a comforting place.  Much like the comforts of a pub, yet a very nice, upscale pub.   Yard House's name is "derived from a 3-foot tall glass originally designed in England to hand to stagecoach drivers back in the day when travel by horse drawn carriage was common" (Yard House).   I think that is pretty cool.  So, being named after a glass of beer, you know they serve a large variety of the foaming stuff -- ales, lagers, on tap, in the bottle, you name it.  But, quite different than a shabby pub, Yard House serves wine, too.  And, not cooking sherry, which I have actually had in a pub before, but that's another story.  Cabernets, Syrahs, Pinot Grigios, and Champagnes.  Ahhhhhh....happiness.  Yard House actually has a full bar, for any libation you crave.

The Food.  The food is not super fancy, but the menu is extensive.  Appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, pastas, pepper crusted filet, pan seared ahi, you get the idea.   And, the food is all sensibly good.  Comforting food.

We started with the Chicken Nachos ($10.85).  The chips were fairly thin and crispy and held up the heap of toppings above quite well.  Those toppings included beans, cheeses,  red and  green tomatillo sauces, guacamole, sour cream, and the chunks of chicken.  The larger pieces of chicken were a little over cooked and dry, but over all the nachos were satisfying, large, and made us smile.  And, at happy hour prices, we got them half price!  Cha Ching!

Chicken Nachos

We also tried the Chopped Salad ($8.45).  This was only an appetizer salad (versus an Entree Salad), and the portion was still substantial.  The fresh, cold, crispy salad included tomatoes, bacon, corn, cilantro, cucumbers, celery, and onions, with sliced avocado on top and served with a bloody mary vinaigrette.  The salad was delicious, refreshing, and hearty. 

Chopped Salad

Our evening at Yard House was all about casual and comfort.  So, on that note, let me note the very delicious french fries.  Thin.  Crispy.  Seasoned.  Well worth an order.

French Fries

Secondly, let me point out the Fresh Baked Brownie, topped with a scoop of your choice of mint chocolate chip, caramel, or vanilla ice cream.  Now, when I say fresh baked, it literally is.  The brownie comes to your table in the metal pan in which it was just baked  -- piping hot.  Perfectly delicious.  Soft.  Fresh.  Truly, nothing fancy, but, comfort dessert in its perfect essence. 

Fresh Baked Brownie

Yard House
(at City Centre)
800 W. Sam Houston Parkway
Houston, Texas 77024
713-461-9273
www.yardhouse.com